engine rattle

[got_fight]

so my 83 has a slight rattle in the upper end of the motor .

255,000 miles on it and runs strong but is a little concerning

i am not a great mechanic but is it normal for an old motor like this to rattle a little bit ?

maybe a valve job is needed ?

i need to replace the valve cover gasket anyways

 

[Shayne]

Nothing rattles in an engine , regardless of it's age it is a precision piece of machinery . Even a brand new engine will break when things start rattling .

 

[karl webster]

Look up big end bearings across the web.

I have had and heard so many engines that have sounded like top end and its turned out to be bearings. That's if we are talking about an 80 series.

 

[karl webster]

Look up big end bearings across the web.

I have had and heard so many engines that have sounded like top end and its turned out to be bearings. That's if we are talking about an 80 series.

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

Its an 83 Karl so I'm guessing its a "gas" engined 40 or 60 series ie 4.2L 6 cylinder petrol. It's just an educated guess though.
Hey man, lets have a better description of the truck in question so we can help without guessing!!
I know where there is a low mileage sweet as a nut "gas" 4.2 engine sat on someone's garage floor.

Good luck

Andy

 

[karl webster]

Now I was being a plank then

And where would that engine be Andrew

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

Dunno, was just pointing someone in the right direction!!
Let's see if we get the info first.

Andy

 

[got_fight]

it is an 83 with a 4.2 gas motor does not make much noise at first but tends to get a little louder when hot and only at idle

 

[mitchelrasmuss]

Mine did this for about 15000km then seized! Hate that sound...cost me 5grand!